This research area focuses on the development of integrated methodologies and related toolsets to support the conceptual and preliminary design of a wide range of sustainable Space Transportation Systems and high-speed vehicles. The need to integrate sustainability assessment since the beginning of the design process and the novelty of the investigated systems to be tackled pose several scientific challenges. This originates the following research topics:
- Methodology and Tools for the conceptual design of sustainable and reusable access to space and re-entry systems and related integrated subsystems
With an expected global revenue exceeding 1 trillion USD by 2040, the space industry is one of the world's fastest- growing sectors. Given the booming investment in the space industry and the anticipated space tourism era, it is crucial to assess the impact of already operative launch assets as well as to adopt design-to-sustainability strategies for the under-development and future launchers. In this framework, this research activity aims at developing a methodology and related toolset able to support the design of sustainable and reusable future launchers. The developed methodology shall embed the following capabilities:
- to capture a wide range of configurations embracing different number of stages, various propulsive technologies, propellants, take-off and landing strategies as well as mission concepts.
- to provide a-priori investigations of sustainability aspects including life-cycle costs estimations, life-cycle emissions estimations, technological feasibility.
- to understand the interrelationships existing among the integrated subsystems, with special emphasis on the role of the cryogenic fuels as key-elements for the integration
- to investigate the impact of the integration of disruptive technologies at subsystem and vehicle levels
This research activity is carried out in the framework of international cooperation with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA).
- Methodology and Tools for the conceptual design of sustainable space transportation systems and related integrated subsystems
As anticipated by the global exploration roadmaps, the quest for establishing a sustainable human presence in the depths of space is currently motivating several initiatives bring together various stakeholders, including both space agencies and private enterprises, in a collaborative effort to transform this visionary goal into reality. In this challenging scenario, this research aims at developing a methodology and related toolset able to support the design of a wide range of Space Transportation systems including ascent and (re-)entry systems, tugs and landers. To support the design of the vehicle and related integrated subsystems the methodology and toolset shall complement the multidisciplinary design with detailed mission simulations.
This research activity is carried out in the framework of international cooperation with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the European Space Agency (ESA), Thales Alenia Space.
- Methodology and Tools for the conceptual design of sustainable high-speed civil aircraft and related integrated subsystems
The request for a faster and greener civil aviation is urging the worldwide scientific community and aerospace industry to develop a new generation of high-speed (supersonic and hypersonic) civil aircraft, which are expected to be environmentally sustainable and to guarantee a high-level protection of citizens. This research activity aims at developing an integrated design methodology and toolset to support the design of high-speed aircraft and related subsystems. To cope with this task, the methodology shall properly capture the correlations between aerothermodynamic and propulsive aspects as well as handle multiple a wide range of layouts, from fuselage and wing concepts to waverider shapes. Part of this research activity is carried out in the framework of international collaborative projects funded by the European Commission such as the H2020 MORE&LESS Project (https://doi.org/10.3030/101006856)
People: Nicole Viola and Roberta Fusaro